SEATTLE, WA, August, 31 2016 – The US Food Sovereignty Alliance (USFSA) is pleased to announce the honorees of the eighth annual Food Sovereignty Prize: the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) and the Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF). The honorees were selected for their success in promoting food sovereignty, agroecology and social justice to ensure that all people have access to fresh, nutritious food produced in harmony with the planet.

Introduced by Rep. Johnson (GA), H.R. 5474 calls for suspension of U.S. military and police aid to Honduras until human rights violations committed by Honduran security forces cease and their perpetrators are brought to justice. Click here to read the provisions included in the bill.

On July 14, 2016, bill HR 5474, the Berta Cáceres Human Rights in Honduras Act, was introduced to the US House of Representatives by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Conyers (MI), Ellison (MN), Kaptur (OH), Serrano (NY), and Schakowsky (IL).

Why is this legislation important?

HR 5474 marks a great advancement toward ending the repression in Honduras that the US has historically financed and backed. The US government has financially and politically supported the Honduran state, military, and police in their human rights abuses, violent persecution, and killing of indigenous peoples, environmentalists, and frontline activists in Honduras. In 2009, the US State Department backed the coupthat ousted the progressive, democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya, creating the space for the US to influence Honduran politics and leading to the conditions that have resulted in repression and violence against activists, women, grassroots and indigenous movements, and many on the frontlines of protecting their communities, lands, and bodies.

COPINH’s new film, Unrelenting Rebellion, illustrates their struggles and courage, recounting their history and ambitions going forward in the work for justice in their community. Check it out in English and Spanish.

“With our autonomy, self-determination, pressure and mobilization, we have been able to get community land titles. We have been able to get roads, schools, all types of benefits.” (Tomás Gómez Membreño, General Coordinator of COPINH)